23 August 2016

I need your help to fill out this short survey, so that I
can advocate to make Tasmania a better place for you! The results of the survey
as well as two meetings already held with the Commissioner for Children and
Young Peoples Advisory Council will be published in a Report to be released
later this year. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M9CMCP6

2. Just announced! The New
Parliament: Challenges Australia Can’t Ignore

We are delighted to announce a special panel event in
October featuring Michelle Grattan
AO (Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation), Dr Cassandra Goldie (CEO, Australian Council of Social Service) and
Professor Ian Harper (Deloitte
Access Economics and Reserve Bank Board Member). Mark your diaries now for
6.00pm on Tuesday 25 October in the
Stanley Burbury Theatre, Sandy Bay Campus. We will be serving refreshments
from 5.30pm. Early registrations can be emailed to Louise.Grimmer@utas.edu.au. This
is a free event and open to members of the public as well as University staff
and students. http://www.utas.edu.au/social-change/home

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, President of the World Medical
Association, has been a leading researcher on health inequality issues for more
than four decades. He has played a central role in research projects studying
health equity and bringing research evidence to bear on policy and practice.
His many achievements include chairing the Commission on Social Determinants of
Health for the World Health Organization in 2005 which produced the
influential Closing the Gap in a Generation report in 2008. Its central
conclusion was social injustice is killing on a grand scale.

4. What will it take for
Tasmania to have Australia’s healthiest population by 2025?

When you think about your household’s income, do you feel
rich, poor, or just average? Most of us have no idea – or the wrong idea – of
how we compare with the rest of the population. But here, in 10 clicks, you can
find out how many households are better or worse off than yours, and see how
your ideal world compares. http://www.compareyourincome.org/index.php

The Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network held its inaugural conference in Hobart last November

Visit our website to view and download some of the presentations

Visit: http://sdohtasmania.org.au

.

What are the social determinants of health?

The word social relates to society and means people.

Determinants of health are - broadly speaking - the things that affect your health - either in a positive way (they protect our health and keep us healthy) or a negative way (they make us sick).

If we put these things together - the social determinants of health are things (systems, products, factors) created, shaped and controlled by people that affect our health.

These things include education, housing, employment, transport and so forth. These are created and shaped by people. And because if this it's possible to change them.

As an example, let's look at transport. We - the people - have created our transport systems. Not necessarily you or I personally but as a society we've done this. The problem is that there are many aspects of the system that are not great - many of our streets aren't cycle or pedestrian friendly, if you live in a rural area public transport options are limited, the number of cars on our roads isn't good for the environment and so forth. All of these things about the transport system can affect our health.

But the great thing is that, because we - the people - developed this system in the first place, we have the ability to change it - to make things better and to improve health as a result.

There are other determinants of health - such as our genes - that we can't change. So let's focus on the things we can do to improve health.

More formally, here's how the literature talks about the social determinants of health:

The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.

Here's a good place to start your reading:

A great publication on the social determinants of health is The Solid Facts.

Vision of the Network

All Tasmanians have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life regardless of their income, education, employment, gender, sexuality, capabilities, cultural background, who they are or where they live.

Membership

Membership of the Network is open to all Tasmanians who share this vision.

Membership is free of charge. Membership means you become a subscriber to our enews and that you get the opportunity to work with others who are part of this Network to undertake advocacy action.

Membership to the Network can be obtained by providing a name, organisation (where there is one but individuals can join as individuals), address, telephone and email address to the Facilitator by email:

socialdeterminantsofhealthtas@gmail.com

The Network currently has more than 220 members across Tasmania (as well as some interstate) from a broad range of sectors.

“The Commission’s main finding is straightforward. The social conditions in which people are born, live, and work are the single most important determinant of good health or ill health, of a long and productive life, or a short and miserable one. ……..This ends the debate decisively. Health care is an important determinant of health. Lifestyles are important determinants of health. ….But, let me emphasize, it is factors in the social environment that determine access to health services and influence lifestyle choices in the first place”.

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organisation.

Tasmanian Action Sheets on the Social Determinants of Health

Visit the Tasmania Council of Social Service website to download 10 action sheets on the social determinants of health in Tasmania.